Scouting Report: World Junior A Challenge Wrap-Up

DAWSON CREEK, Canada — “The Russians always turn it on in the medal round though,” one scout remarked ahead of the World Junior A Challenge’s playoffs in Dawson Creek. Ain’t that the truth.

After limping through the round-robin portion of the tournament without a single regulation win and a tie for third in standings points, Russia kicked it into high gear when the games mattered en route to a 2-1 double-overtime win over Canada East for gold.

Shakir Mukhamadullin seemingly thrust Russia into oblivion, sending an unforced error of epic proportions over the glass with little over three minutes left and 1-0 lead on the board. That started a chain of catastrophic events that led to Canada East tying the game with little over a minute left in regulation, as Ryan O’Hara found twine from the poi